Deuteronomy 28:13 states, “The Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, being careful to do them.” This verse is part of a larger passage in Deuteronomy 28 promising blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience to God’s laws. In this context, being the “head” and not the “tail” refers to the Israelites experiencing blessings, prosperity, and preeminence among the nations if they carefully obey God. 1. Background on Deuteronomy…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
The cave of Machpelah, also known as the Cave of the Patriarchs, is an important site in the Bible and Jewish tradition. It is located in Hebron and contains the tombs of several biblical patriarchs and matriarchs. According to Genesis 23, Abraham purchased the cave and surrounding land to bury his wife Sarah. Later, Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah were also buried there. The cave and tombs are mentioned several other times in Genesis and serve as physical reminders of God’s covenant and promises to Abraham and his descendants. Some key points about the significance of the cave of…
The question of whether the Sabbath is on Saturday or Sunday has been debated amongst Christians for centuries. The seventh day, Saturday, has traditionally been considered the Sabbath day of rest in Judaism since biblical times. However, most modern Christians worship corporately on Sundays rather than Saturdays. So what does the Bible say about this topic? Let’s take a comprehensive look. Old Testament Foundations In the creation account in Genesis 2:2-3, we read that “on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had…
Panic attacks can be a frightening and debilitating experience. During a panic attack, a person experiences intense physical symptoms of anxiety like a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, and stomach pains. These attacks often hit suddenly and without warning. For those who struggle with panic attacks, especially recurring ones, life can feel limited and overwhelming. Fortunately, the Bible has much to say to offer hope, wisdom, and comfort for those struggling with panic attacks. By turning to Scripture, we can find truth about God’s character and promises that can help reframe our perspective on panic. The Bible reminds us…
In the book of Esther in the Bible, Vashti is mentioned as the wife of King Ahasuerus and the queen of Persia. She plays an important role in the early part of the narrative, though she disappears from the story after the third chapter. We first hear of Vashti in Esther chapter 1. King Ahasuerus, who reigned over the Persian Empire from India to Ethiopia, held a lavish banquet in the citadel of Susa to show off his wealth and splendor. On the seventh day of feasting, when the king was drunk, he commanded his seven eunuchs to bring Queen…
The issue of swearing oaths is directly addressed in the Bible, including whether it is acceptable for Christians to “swear to God.” There are a few key passages that provide insight into God’s perspective on this issue. The Third Commandment In the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai, the third commandment states: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7 ESV). This command prohibits misusing God’s name or swearing falsely by it. It means we should have…
The command to “flee to the mountains” appears in the Olivet Discourse, Jesus’ prophecy about the destruction of the temple and the end times. It occurs in Matthew 24:16, Mark 13:14, and Luke 21:21. The setting of this command is Jesus’ prediction of a time of great tribulation that will come upon those living in Judea. When this time of distress comes, Jesus warns those in Judea to flee without delay: Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains (Matthew 24:16, ESV) But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be…
God makes many promises in the Bible that give hope and comfort to believers. Here is an overview of some of the key promises that God makes: Forgiveness of Sins One of God’s most foundational promises is the forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ. Bible verses about this promise include: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7). “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “I…
The Filioque clause refers to an addition made to the Nicene Creed regarding the procession of the Holy Spirit. The original creed stated that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father. However, in the 6th century, the Roman Catholic Church added the phrase “and the Son” (Latin: Filioque) so that the creed stated the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father “and the Son.” This addition was very controversial and was one of the major factors leading to the Great Schism between the Eastern Orthodox and Western Roman Catholic churches in 1054. The Orthodox Church has always rejected the Filioque addition…
Isaiah 53:4 is one of the most well-known prophecies about Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. It says, “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” This verse points to Jesus as the Suffering Servant who would take upon himself the sins, griefs, and sorrows of humanity through his sacrificial death on the cross. By looking at the context of this verse and its fulfillment in the New Testament, we can better understand the profound truth that Jesus bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. The Context of…